arriving in Geneva - some tips

This is a collection of some things we learned the first few times we traveled to CERN. For details on moving to the area, please see main our page: Before You Arrive.

Arriving at Geneva AirportThe airport is on the border of France and Switzerland. You can exit the airport in either country by following the signs, and you can go back and forth from one side to the other. We recommend exiting on the Swiss side.

There are differences in what is available on the two sides:

French side: you will have to take a car. It's much less busy than the Geneva side, but doesn't have a bank, stores or a taxi stand. (Renting a car.)

Swiss side: Immediately outside of the arrivals hall you can find the CERN shuttle, a taxi stand and a bus to CERN. You can get to Geneva by bus or train. See How to Get to CERN below.

Banks: There are no banks on the French side, so if you need money you'll need to go to the Geneva side. You can go back to the French side and exit there. See Money below.

Get a free bus/tram ticket: There is a machine dispensing these in the Swiss baggage claim area just before you exit customs. Once you exit the baggage claim area you cannot return here.If a bus inspector asks to see your bus ticket you will also have to show your plane ticket.

​MoneyAs you're coming out of the baggage claim area, on the left you'll see an American Express counter and ATM machines where you can exchange money and withdraw cash.

France uses euro: EUR. Switzerland uses Swiss francs: CHF.

The most economical money exchange is to withdraw money from an ATM at CERN, as CERN has negotiated a special rate with UBS. So only take enough cash to get through the first day or two.

If you plan to get to CERN or downtown by Bus/Tram be sure to get 5-10 CHF worth of coins from the American Express counter.

How to Get to CERN

If you're coming to CERN for the first time and do not have a badge, you need to go to Reception near CERN Gate A, in Building 33 where you must get a pass to enter the grounds.

Public Transport: Bus & TramFrom the airport - take a free public transport ticket from the machine as you exit to the baggage collection hall, just before customs control. The bus station is to your right as you exit the baggage claim area. Then you can

take bus Y direction "CERN" and get off at the CERN stop opposite the large Globe and the CERN site.

or take bus 23, 28or 57 and get off at "Blandonnet" and then catch tram18, final stop "CERN".​

Buses & trams display the ultimate destination on the front, and the next stop on the sides.

​Buying Tickets: ticket machines can be found at most bus & tram stops.

Use Tout Genève: Push the button next to your choice, see the amount light up, then deposit Swiss coins before the light goes off. Use exact change - they don't give refunds.

Use a credit card.

​Inspectors occasionally come on the bus to check whether riders have a valid ticket, and to fine them if they don't. By CarIf you've rented a car at the airport, follow the signs to Meyrin, and then to CERN. CERN is on the left just before the French border.

If you're arriving via the motorway, take the Meyrin exit. Follow signs to St. Genis-Pouilly (France) via Meyrin. CERN is on the left just before the French border. To drive on Swiss motorways you need a motorway sticker, which can be purchased at all customs points at a cost of 40 CHF.

By TaxiThe taxi stand is just outside the Arrivals hall. The ride to CERN takes about 20 minutes and costs approximately 35 CHF. They will ask which gate (porte) you want to go to. If this is your first time at CERN you'll want to go to Gate A. Have them drop you off at Reception where you must get a pass to enter the grounds.

ElectronicsFrench and Swiss plugs and sockets are shaped differently than outside of Europe. You can find all the information you need about the use of Adapters vs. Transformers on the Packing Up page, including what not to bring and why

Food ShoppingFour main points in shopping here that you may find are different than where you've lived before are:

LanguageMost scientists at CERN speak English. Many of the rest of the people there don't. If you don't know French, an introductory "Parlez-vous anglais?" (polite form of "Do you speak English?") is a much better way to start a conversation than just speaking English and assuming you are understood.

If you don't know French well, it has been our experience that people in Geneva will switch to English rather than let you struggle with basic French. People in France will appreciate your effort, are less likely to know English, and are more shy to speak it. Many won't admit to knowing English, but once they start they tend to speak it well.

Transportation Tips

Bus & TramTransport Public Genève (TPG) Check this site for current ticket prices and the bus & tram schedule.You can get to Geneva by bus or tram.

Buying Tickets

You can buy one hour, all day (after 9 AM), or all day tickets for increasing cost. You can also buy 2 zones, 3 zones, or more. The after 9 AM 3 zone ticket is a great buy if you are spending a day touring Geneva. You can also buy 2 zones, 3 zones, or more. More information can be found on our Public Transportation page.

Inspectors occasionally come on the bus to check whether riders have a valid ticket, and to fine them if they don't.

Car - a few Rules of the RoadBorder Crossings

At Swiss/French border crossings, the lane on the right marked with a green symbol is for locals who display this sign on their car and can pass through without fear of being stopped. You can get this sign by stopping at Customs (Douane) and asking for one. If you don't have one stay on the left.

License Plates

If you are resident in France, French law says you may not use a Swiss-plated car for more than 7 days. There is no exception for CERN cars.

Right of Way

In France, Switzerland, and much of Europe, cars on the right have right of way, unless they have a stop or yield sign. This means that if you are on big road, and a tiny one without a stop sign is coming up on your right, that a car there has right of way, and will likely assert it! Occasionally there are signs on the big road letting you know that there is something coming up where you do or don't have right of way.

Cars in a traffic circle have right of way, so watch for their signaling: Signal left when entering a traffic circle, and right when you are going to leave it at the next exit.

The best advice I got about driving is that if you are in a traffic circle and aren't sure which is the right exit to get out, it is perfectly permissible to go around and around in circles until you have figured it out. This is also a great way to pause if you are lost or getting very frustrated.

The circle is also a great way to make a U-turn.

This one seems obvious after you know it: Signs with an arrow and town name point to the traffic circle exit, not to a direction you should drive.